T cell proteins and nucleotides encoding the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to mouse and human J12 polynucleotides, polypeptide and anti J12 antibody molecules. The J12 is a cytokine that is preferentially expressed in Th2 cells. The polypeptides and/or antibodies described herein can be used in methods for detection and treatment of certain autoimmune and inflammatory diseases including asthma.

1 - 4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A purified polypeptide, the amino acid sequence of which comprises a sequence at least 90% identical to SEQ ID No. 8. 
     
     
         6 . A method of identifying a compound that inhibits the binding of J12 to its natural binding partner, the method comprising,
 a) providing a J12 polypeptide comprising SEQ ID No. 8;   b) contacting the polypeptide with its natural binding partner and a test compound   c) determining whether binding of the binding partner to the polypeptide is decreases in the presence of the test compound, a decrease in said binding being an indication that the test compound inhibits the binding of J12 to its binding partner.   
     
     
         7 . An antibody against a polypeptide selected from the list consisting of human J12 var1, human J12 var2 or human J12 var3.